oesophagitis

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oesophagitis (ee-sof-ă-jy-tis) n. inflammation of the oesophagus. corrosive o. oesophagitis caused by the ingestion of caustic acid or alkali. infective o. oesophagitis caused by infection with Candida or, more rarely, by viruses. It is common in AIDS patients. reflux o. the commonest form of oesophagitis, caused by frequent regurgitation of acid and peptic juices from the stomach. It may be associated with a hiatus hernia. The main symptoms are heartburn, regurgitation of bitter fluid, and sometimes difficulty in swallowing; complications include bleeding, narrowing (stricture) of the oesophageal canal, and ulceration.